Mule deer rut

BUGLEnmIN

BUGLEnmIN

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What’s up fellas!?! First off wanna wish you guys a merry Christmas and hope god blesses you through these crazy times !

Some of you guy know me and my favorite thing to do every year religiously is to watch the mule deer rut in my favorite unit. We’ll I drew the January tag and have been out at least 8 times since December 1 ( would have been more but caught the damn Rona)
The deer here are barley starting to engage now! I’m mean barley! Afternoons have been almost a complete wast of time , yesterday only saw 5 bucks 3 of them were in the 150” range which is super disappointing. This time of year a guy could see 15-20 bucks and several 170-180” deer and the occasional 190-200” buck in a day. Several trail cam pics with does unattended, and bucks cruising solo not swolled up yet. Definitely the strangest year I’ve ever seen here. Anyone noticing this anywhere?
 
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I saw a little rutting activity on Saturday in Southern NM. No really heavy rut activity but the bucks were interested in does. I only saw 7 bucks and they all had swollen necks.

If you are seeing occasional 190" to 200" bucks in the Southern half of the state I would like to know the unit and some GPS coordinates.

I've seen a number of nice bucks in Southern NM over the last 8 years but never a buck that would break 190". I'm sure they exist but they are rare.
 
Talked to a game warden in southern Nm and he reported some bucks chasing in the past week, which I’ve interpreted as an indication in support of us hunting the early part of the Jan 1-15 season. Which we are planning to do... We can’t stay for the full season. We’ll see what the weather does between now and then.
 
BrianID said:
I saw a little rutting activity on Saturday in Southern NM. No really heavy rut activity but the bucks were interested in does. I only saw 7 bucks and they all had swollen necks.

If you are seeing occasional 190" to 200" bucks in the Southern half of the state I would like to know the unit and some GPS coordinates.

I've seen a number of nice bucks in Southern NM over the last 8 years but never a buck that would break 190". I'm sure they exist but they are rare.
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No sir not exactly southern nm ! Thank you for confirming my suspicions! Good luck on your hunt! Keep us posted! I sent you a pm
 
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gburk said:
Talked to a game warden in southern Nm and he reported some bucks chasing in the past week, which I’ve interpreted as an indication in support of us hunting the early part of the Jan 1-15 season. Which we are planning to do... We can’t stay for the full season. We’ll see what the weather does between now and then.
Click to expand...
That’s some good info definitely! Again confirming my suspicions , found the smaller 140/150 bucks strutting ears pinned n one hot doe in the group, I’d suspect we’re going to hit it right on time but like I said here it’s very unusual the activity is this slow right now. This dude is 30”+ but forks are real week on the right side, got a half assed picture of him you can kind of make out his frame but not a shooter. He’s a ten point just not for me.

B1A9E783-0AAB-409B-BF04-EF0AB1540241.png

Here’s a young buck that will be an absolute dandy if he can make it a few more years , deep forks , fronts were super deep just not there yet!

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Anymore updates on rut activity? We hunt down south every year we draw. Seems like we catch the tail end. Some bucks seem to be off by themselves and some still attending does.
 
We’ll boys here he is and I couldn’t be happier!! 1/1/22 got this year started right!
After a messed up year of injuries surgeries Covid it was time to start this one right! Surgeons said to not exceed the restrictions put on me but to be safe and have fun. So my crew stepped up and said “JUST WORRY ABOUT PUTTIN HIM ON THE GROUND AND WELL DO THE HEAVY LIFTING” gotta thank god for friends like that ! They kept their word! After watching this buck for 3 years I finally got my chance. There were several big deer in the area but he was definitely my #1
Thanks to gods blessings and great friends we got it done.
He’s 26 3/4 Inside
35” ON THE DOT outside!!!!
26” main beams
13 scorable points
AND THE MASS GOES ON FOR DAYS
Happy hunter over here!
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16E782A0-122C-44DA-845D-66530B0012AC.jpeg
 
Geno, congratulations! Nice buck. You earned him every which way possible especially given your health issues. Great way to kick off 2022!
 
wweaver79 said:
Finally got some real weather and it paid off, I agree with others, that is about as good as it gets in NM these days. What a way to start the year !
Click to expand...
Yes! Prayed for a month for snow and hit on the opener! If that’s not divine intervention idk what is! Thank you!
 
What a stud, congrats man. I’m always impressed when someone can follow a buck for years and then seal the deal. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a buck that I could tell you for certain I had seen before. Very cool, congrats again!
 
As soon as I get a chance I will brother I’ll include pics from years past too! Finally drew the tag and made it happen! Sucked so bad to no be able to do anything but watch until I finally drew! It was a blessing in disguise though because this was the biggest he’s been since he came in the picture!
 
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Just want to resurrect last years thread!
What are the rut activities looking like from central to southern New Mexico fellas!
One of my favorite times ! Post up some pics and reports ! ????
 
Hasn’t started yet in our targeted part of SW NM, is what I’m told. we are paying ever closer attention as the end of year approaches!
 

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